Zoroastrianism Facts for Kids

Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion that started in ancient Iran. It was founded by a wise teacher named Zoroaster around 1000 BC. This religion is also sometimes called Mazdaism or Parsiism.

Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion, meaning its followers believe in only one God. Their God is named Ahura Mazda. The holy book of Zoroastrianism is called the Zend Avesta.

Zoroastrians also believe in dualism. This means they think Ahura Mazda created two main spirits: a good one called Spenta Mainyu and a bad one called Angra Mainyu. Zoroastrians believe that people are free to choose between good and bad actions. Choosing good leads to happiness, while choosing bad leads to unhappiness. That's why their main idea, or motto, is "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds."

Zoroastrianism was the official state religion of Persia for a long time, starting in the 6th century BC. This included the powerful Sassanid Empire. In the 7th century AD, Islamic Arabs conquered Persia. After this, most Persians became Muslims.

Today, there are about 2.6 million Zoroastrians around the world. Most of them live in Iran, Pakistan, or India. In Pakistan and India, they are often called Parsis. Many Zoroastrians also live in the United States now.

What Zoroastrians Believe
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What Zoroastrians Believe

Zoroastrianism has several important beliefs that guide its followers.

One God: Ahura Mazda

Zoroastrians believe in one supreme God named Ahura Mazda. He is seen as the only Creator who was not created himself. Followers of Zoroastrianism worship only him.

Good Versus Bad

Ahura Mazda created everything good in the world. However, there is a constant struggle between order (which God created) and chaos (or disorder). Everything in the universe, including humans, is part of this conflict.

To help fight against chaos, people need to:

Live an active life.
Do good deeds for others.
Have good words and good thoughts.

Doing these things also helps people find happiness. This idea of an active life is part of what Zoroastrians call free will. They do not believe people should live alone, like in monasteries, to find God.

The End of Conflict

The struggle between good and bad will not last forever. Zoroastrians believe that Ahura Mazda will win in the end. When this happens, everything Ahura Mazda created will be reunited with him. This includes the souls of people who have died or were banished.

Good and Bad Spirits

All bad things in the world are linked to Angra Mainyu, which is called the "Destructive Principle." All good things are linked to Spenta Mainyu, the good spirit that Ahura Mazda created. Through Spenta Mainyu, Ahura Mazda is connected to all humans. This is how the Creator interacts with the world.

Divine Sparks

When Ahura Mazda created the world, he made seven special "sparks." These are called Amesha Spentas, which means "Bounteous Immortals." Each of these sparks represents a different part of Ahura Mazda's creation. Many "lesser principles" called Yazatas help these seven sparks. Each Yazata is "worthy of worship" and also stands for a part of creation.

The Three Wise Men

Some historians think that the Three Wise Men who visited Jesus after he was born were Zoroastrian priests.

Images for kids

An 8th century Tang dynasty Chinese clay figurine of a Sogdian man wearing a distinctive cap and face veil. This might be a Zoroastrian priest doing a ritual at a fire temple, as veils were used to keep breath or saliva from touching the holy fire. From the Museum of Oriental Art (Turin), Italy.
A painted clay and alabaster head of a Zoroastrian priest. He wears a special Bactrian-style headdress. Found in Takhti-Sangin, Tajikistan, from the Greco-Bactrian kingdom (3rd–2nd century BCE).
The Tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae, Iran.
A scene from the Hamzanama showing Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib burning Zarthust's chest and breaking an urn with his ashes.
The fire temple of Baku, around 1860.
A fire temple in Yazd.
A modern Zoroastrian fire temple in Western India.
The Achaemenid Empire in the 5th century BCE was the largest empire in history based on the percentage of the world's population it covered.
A Parsi Wedding from 1905.
The sacred Zoroastrian pilgrimage shrine of Chak Chak in Yazd, Iran.
A Parsi Navjote ceremony, which is a special rite for joining the Zoroastrian faith.

Zoroastrianism facts for kids

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